[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 32 (Tuesday, March 19, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S2069]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING FRED SCHEFFOLD

  Mrs. CLINTON. Mr. President, I would like to take this opportunity to 
honor the late Fred Scheffold, a battalion chief with the New York City 
Fire Department and one of the many NYC firefighters who so bravely 
gave their lives on September 11, 2001.
  Today, I had the honor of meeting Fred's widow, Mrs. Joan Scheffold, 
and their daughter, Karen Scheffold-Onorio, at a news conference in the 
Mansfield Room of the U.S. Capitol Building. They were here to join my 
distinguished colleagues, Senator Stabenow, Senator Allen, Senator Kyl, 
and me to announce the next steps in the implementation of the Unity in 
the Spirit of America Act, the USA Act.
  The USA Act is legislation introduced by Senator Stabenow that 
establishes a program to name national and community service projects 
in honor of victims killed as a result of the terrorist attacks on 
September 11. The measure was signed into law by President Bush in 
January. To recognize the heroism of New York Firefighter Fred 
Scheffold, and all the victims of September 11, I ask unanimous consent 
that the statement of Joan Scheffold be printed in the Record. It is a 
warm and loving tribute to a heroic husband, father, and American.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

             Remarks by Mrs. Joan Scheffold, March 19, 2002

       The world lost many treasures on September 11th, and I 
     mourn the loss of my own gem, my husband Fred. Fred's 32 year 
     career with the NYC Fire Department brought him to many 
     corners of New York and on the morning of September 11th, he 
     was just finished his 24 hour tour as a Battalion Chief in 
     East Harlem. When the alarm came in, he rushed to the scene 
     along with the Chief who was relieving him. Like so many 
     others that day, he was not obligated to respond to the alarm 
     but he did so out of the sense of duty and the simple fact 
     that he knew his help and expertise would be needed.
       But, he was so much more than just a fireman who was lost 
     on September 11th. As an avid runner, skier, and golfer, he 
     inspired our 3 daughters to reach their highest goals and set 
     them higher once again. A talented painter and sculptor, our 
     home and yard are decorated with many of his pieces, 
     including a giant insect made of metal and wood on the front 
     lawn and a front door painted purple. A self-proclaimed 
     ``news junkie'', he read everything that he could get his 
     hands on and could hold an intelligent conversion about any 
     topic. Essentially, he had a lifelong love of learning.
       He had the unique ability to make you feel like you were 
     the only one of the room when you were talking to him and 
     that what you were saying was the most interesting thing he's 
     heard all day. But he never failed to end the conversation by 
     making you laugh.
       We mourn the loss of Freddie every single day. He was a 
     magnificent human being and a beautiful soul who will never 
     be forgotten. Fred's memory has been celebrated in many ways 
     including a scholarship fund that has been established at his 
     alma mater in the Bronx and trees that have been planted in 
     his honor. We hope that we can continue to honor his life and 
     the lives of those 3000 others lost on September 11th through 
     projects of the Unity in the Spirit of America Act.

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